With Sebastian Vettel announcing his retirement from&nbsp;Formula 1, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton recently opened up about his own future in the sport. He dismissed the possibility of his retirement, claiming that he was all set&nbsp;to improve the W13 in order to return to title contention.

Hamilton had previously stunned&nbsp;the Formula 1 faithful when he admitted that he was contemplating retirement after the 2021 season came to a shocking end with Red Bull's Max Verstappen laid claim to the world championship title, denying him a record-breaking eighth world title after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-find-it-stressful-7-time-f1-champion-lewis-hamilton-reveals-he-is-terrified-driving-on-normal-roads-505633">‘I find it stressful’: Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton reveals he is terrified driving on normal roads</a>

However, in a recent interaction with Vanity Fair magazine, Hamilton dismissed these statements. He admitted that he was extremely keen on extending his contract and returning the Mercedes F1 team to its former glory.

"I’ll be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about extending.&nbsp;I’m still on the mission, I’m still loving driving, I’m still being challenged by it. So I don’t really feel like I have to give it up anytime soon," said Hamilton.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hard-some-days-to-stay-positive-lewis-hamilton-reveals-he-struggled-mentally-and-emotionally-467219">'Hard some days to stay positive': Lewis Hamilton reveals he struggled mentally and emotionally</a>

When asked about Sebastian Vettel's forthcoming retirement from the sport, Hamilton confirmed that it did not affect his decision to continue driving for Mercedes:

“It doesn’t make me think about my future, but it is a reminder that I am in that part of my career that people I came up with and have raced for so long will start to stop... But I am thinking about how I can improve this car, what steps we need to take to get this team winning again, what is the road map to claiming another world championship, and what we need to do to have everyone in this sport more aligned, in terms of diversity.”

The 2022 season, however, has been less than promising for the Brackley-based outfit with Red Bull's Max Verstappen putting in consistently impressive performances as he seems to be well on course to defend his title.

With Sebastian Vettel announcing his retirement from Formula 1, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton recently opened up about his own future in the sport. He dismissed the possibility of his retirement, claiming that he was all set to improve the W13 in order to return to title contention.

With Sebastian Vettel announcing his retirement from Formula 1, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton recently opened up about his own future in the sport. He dismissed the possibility of his retirement, claiming that he was all set to improve the W13 in order to return to title contention. Hamilton had previously stunned the Formula 1 faithful when he admitted that he was contemplating retirement after the 2021 season came to a shocking end with Red Bull's Max Verstappen laid claim to the world championship title, denying him a record-breaking eighth world title after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. ALSO READ: ‘I find it stressful’: Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton reveals he is terrified driving on normal roads However, in a recent interaction with Vanity Fair magazine, Hamilton dismissed these statements. He admitted that he was extremely keen on extending his contract and returning the Mercedes F1 team to its former glory. "I’ll be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about extending. I’m still on the mission, I’m still loving driving, I’m still being challenged by it. So I don’t really feel like I have to give it up anytime soon," said Hamilton. ALSO READ: 'Hard some days to stay positive': Lewis Hamilton reveals he struggled mentally and emotionally When asked about Sebastian Vettel's forthcoming retirement from the sport, Hamilton confirmed that it did not affect his decision to continue driving for Mercedes: “It doesn’t make me think about my future, but it is a reminder that I am in that part of my career that people I came up with and have raced for so long will start to stop... But I am thinking about how I can improve this car, what steps we need to take to get this team winning again, what is the road map to claiming another world championship, and what we need to do to have everyone in this sport more aligned, in terms of diversity.” The 2022 season, however, has been less than promising for the Brackley-based outfit with Red Bull's Max Verstappen putting in consistently impressive performances as he seems to be well on course to defend his title.

'I'm still loving driving'- Lewis Hamilton rules out possibility of his retirement anytime soon

Lewis Hamilton may never get over the pain of being 'robbed'&nbsp;of a record eighth Formula One title, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday in comments that raised doubts about the driver's future in the sport.

The Austrian, speaking to reporters for the first time since Sunday's race in Abu Dhabi and after Mercedes dropped plans to appeal, said he and Hamilton would not be attending the FIA's gala awards in Paris that evening.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen will be handed his trophy at the ceremony and the top three drivers are obliged to attend the prizegiving under article 6.6 of the Formula One sporting regulations.

Hamilton lost out to Verstappen after the Dutch driver overtook him on the last lap at Yas Marina, benefiting from a sudden change to the safety car procedure that allowed racing to resume.

"It's going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday. I don`t think we will ever come over it, that`s not possible," said Wolff.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mercedes-f1-team-drops-appeal-and-congratulates-max-verstappen-for-maiden-title-win-437393">Mercedes F1 team drops appeal and congratulates Max Verstappen for maiden title win</a>

"And certainly not him (Hamilton) as a driver. I would very much hope the two of us and the rest of the team we can work through the events... But he will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday."

Hamilton spoke briefly after Sunday's race to 2009 world champion Jenson Button before the podium ceremonies but did no media post-race and has not spoken publicly since.

He also avoided saying anything after being knighted at Windsor Palace on Wednesday.

CLEAR VALUES

Asked directly whether Hamilton, who turns 37 in January and has two years remaining on his contract, would be back next year, Wolff indicated that was not a certainty.

"I would very much hope Lewis continues racing because he is the greatest driver of all time," he said.

"As a racer his heart will say I need to continue because he's at the peak of his game," he added. "But we have to overcome the pain that was caused upon him on Sunday. He is a man with clear values."

Mercedes won the constructors'&nbsp;title for an unprecedented eighth year in a row and Wolff said technical head James Allison would be in Paris to collect the trophy on behalf of all the workforce.

"I won't be there because of my loyalty to Lewis and because of my own personal integrity," he said.

Wolff was confident Mercedes could have won a legal battle but there was "a difference between right and obtaining justice."

He said every decision was taken with Hamilton.

"It was tremendously hard for him and for us as a team to withdraw the appeal, because we were wronged," he added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-sachin-to-rosberg-how-sporting-fraternity-reacted-to-max-verstappens-thrilling-maiden-f1-win-436510">From Sachin to Rosberg: How sporting fraternity reacted to Max Verstappen's thrilling maiden F1 win</a>

"My soul and my heart cries with every bone that this should have been judged in the right way."

Wolff said there had been no contact with race director Michael Masi, who made the safety car decision, since Sunday.

"I`m not interested in having a conversation with Michael Masi," he said.

"The decisions that have been taken in the last four minutes of this race have robbed Lewis Hamilton of a deserved world championship. He won the start and he never gave the lead away again.

"Robbing him on the last lap of the race is unacceptable... my values, my sense of integrity, just isn`t compatible with the decisions that have been made on Sunday."

Lewis Hamilton may never get over the pain of being 'robbed' of a record eighth Formula One title, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday in comments that raised doubts about the driver's future in the sport.

Lewis Hamilton may never get over the pain of being 'robbed' of a record eighth Formula One title, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday in comments that raised doubts about the driver's future in the sport. The Austrian, speaking to reporters for the first time since Sunday's race in Abu Dhabi and after Mercedes dropped plans to appeal, said he and Hamilton would not be attending the FIA's gala awards in Paris that evening. Red Bull's Max Verstappen will be handed his trophy at the ceremony and the top three drivers are obliged to attend the prizegiving under article 6.6 of the Formula One sporting regulations. Hamilton lost out to Verstappen after the Dutch driver overtook him on the last lap at Yas Marina, benefiting from a sudden change to the safety car procedure that allowed racing to resume. "It's going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday. I don`t think we will ever come over it, that`s not possible," said Wolff. ALSO READ: Mercedes F1 team drops appeal and congratulates Max Verstappen for maiden title win "And certainly not him (Hamilton) as a driver. I would very much hope the two of us and the rest of the team we can work through the events... But he will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday." Hamilton spoke briefly after Sunday's race to 2009 world champion Jenson Button before the podium ceremonies but did no media post-race and has not spoken publicly since. He also avoided saying anything after being knighted at Windsor Palace on Wednesday. CLEAR VALUES Asked directly whether Hamilton, who turns 37 in January and has two years remaining on his contract, would be back next year, Wolff indicated that was not a certainty. "I would very much hope Lewis continues racing because he is the greatest driver of all time," he said. "As a racer his heart will say I need to continue because he's at the peak of his game," he added. "But we have to overcome the pain that was caused upon him on Sunday. He is a man with clear values." Mercedes won the constructors' title for an unprecedented eighth year in a row and Wolff said technical head James Allison would be in Paris to collect the trophy on behalf of all the workforce. "I won't be there because of my loyalty to Lewis and because of my own personal integrity," he said. Wolff was confident Mercedes could have won a legal battle but there was "a difference between right and obtaining justice." He said every decision was taken with Hamilton. "It was tremendously hard for him and for us as a team to withdraw the appeal, because we were wronged," he added. ALSO READ: From Sachin to Rosberg: How sporting fraternity reacted to Max Verstappen's thrilling maiden F1 win "My soul and my heart cries with every bone that this should have been judged in the right way." Wolff said there had been no contact with race director Michael Masi, who made the safety car decision, since Sunday. "I`m not interested in having a conversation with Michael Masi," he said. "The decisions that have been taken in the last four minutes of this race have robbed Lewis Hamilton of a deserved world championship. He won the start and he never gave the lead away again. "Robbing him on the last lap of the race is unacceptable... my values, my sense of integrity, just isn`t compatible with the decisions that have been made on Sunday."

Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff casts doubt on Lewis Hamilton future, both to shun FIA gala awards

Lewis Hamilton's&nbsp;Mercedes&nbsp;team on Thursday withdrew their appeal against Max Verstappen's controversial title-winning victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Verstappen overtook the British driver on the last lap on Sunday to clinch his first drivers' title and deny his rival a record eighth crown.

The deployment of the safety car after a late crash at the Yas Marina Circuit had wiped out Hamilton's seemingly unassailable lead and Verstappen had the advantage as he was using fresher tyres.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-sachin-to-rosberg-how-sporting-fraternity-reacted-to-max-verstappens-thrilling-maiden-f1-win-436510">From Sachin to Rosberg: How sporting fraternity reacted to Max Verstappen's thrilling maiden F1 win</a>

The furious&nbsp;Mercedes&nbsp;team had an immediate double appeal dismissed by the stewards, then lodged an intention to appeal against that decision, which they were required to trigger by Thursday evening.

But&nbsp;Mercedes&nbsp;issued a lengthy statement announcing they were drawing a line under the issue.

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— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) <a href="https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1471419870680125441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The team said they had made the decision following "constructive dialogue" with governing body FIA over establishing clarity for future racing scenarios.

"We welcome the decision by the FIA to install a commission to thoroughly analyse what happened in Abu Dhabi and to improve the robustness of rules, governance and decision-making in Formula 1,"&nbsp;Mercedes&nbsp;said in a statement.

"We also welcome that they have invited the teams and drivers to take part.

"The&nbsp;Mercedes-AMG Petronas team will actively work with this commission to build a better Formula 1 -- for every team and every fan who loves this sport as much as we do. We will hold the FIA accountable for this process and we hereby withdraw our appeal."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/abu-dhabi-gp-mercedes-protest-after-max-verstappen-beats-lewis-hamilton-to-win-f1-title-436362">Abu Dhabi GP: Mercedes protest after Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to win F1 title</a>

Mercedes, who won the constructors' title, said they had initially appealed against the result in the interests of "sporting fairness".

The team also offered congratulations to Verstappen and Red Bull, saying the F1 championship title fight had been "truly epic".

"Though this drivers' championship did not end the way we hoped, we could not be prouder of our team," the statement added.

"Lewis, you are the greatest racer in the history of Formula 1 and you drove your heart out for every lap of this incredible season. You're a flawless sportsman on and off the track and you delivered a faultless performance."

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team on Thursday withdrew their appeal against Max Verstappen's controversial title-winning victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull's Verstappen overtook the British driver on the last lap on Sunday to clinch his first drivers' title and deny his rival a record eighth crown.

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team on Thursday withdrew their appeal against Max Verstappen's controversial title-winning victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull's Verstappen overtook the British driver on the last lap on Sunday to clinch his first drivers' title and deny his rival a record eighth crown. The deployment of the safety car after a late crash at the Yas Marina Circuit had wiped out Hamilton's seemingly unassailable lead and Verstappen had the advantage as he was using fresher tyres. ALSO READ: From Sachin to Rosberg: How sporting fraternity reacted to Max Verstappen's thrilling maiden F1 win The furious Mercedes team had an immediate double appeal dismissed by the stewards, then lodged an intention to appeal against that decision, which they were required to trigger by Thursday evening. But Mercedes issued a lengthy statement announcing they were drawing a line under the issue. Team Statement - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/tgrBjrNkcz — Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 16, 2021 × The team said they had made the decision following "constructive dialogue" with governing body FIA over establishing clarity for future racing scenarios. "We welcome the decision by the FIA to install a commission to thoroughly analyse what happened in Abu Dhabi and to improve the robustness of rules, governance and decision-making in Formula 1," Mercedes said in a statement. "We also welcome that they have invited the teams and drivers to take part. "The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team will actively work with this commission to build a better Formula 1 -- for every team and every fan who loves this sport as much as we do. We will hold the FIA accountable for this process and we hereby withdraw our appeal." ALSO READ | Abu Dhabi GP: Mercedes protest after Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to win F1 title Mercedes, who won the constructors' title, said they had initially appealed against the result in the interests of "sporting fairness". The team also offered congratulations to Verstappen and Red Bull, saying the F1 championship title fight had been "truly epic". "Though this drivers' championship did not end the way we hoped, we could not be prouder of our team," the statement added. "Lewis, you are the greatest racer in the history of Formula 1 and you drove your heart out for every lap of this incredible season. You're a flawless sportsman on and off the track and you delivered a faultless performance."

Mercedes F1 team drops appeal and congratulates Max Verstappen for maiden title win

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'I'm still loving driving'- Lewis Hamilton rules out possibility of his retirement anytime soon

Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff casts doubt on Lewis Hamilton future, both to shun FIA gala awards

Mercedes F1 team drops appeal and congratulates Max Verstappen for maiden title win